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Event organizers have spiritual message for youths

Rash of local violence prompts pastor’s plan for 3-day youth revival

Sally Zuniga, left, apartment manager at Creekwood Village, Connie Washington, of Just Jesus Outreach Ministry, and Olivia Davis, pastor of the ministry, are helping coordinate a youth revival, “Taking the Gospel to the Street,” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Michelle Lepianka Carter | The Tuscaloosa News

By Jamon SmithStaff Writer

Published: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, May 20, 2013 at 11:03 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | Olivia Davis said something stirred inside her on Jan. 12 when she heard that 17-year-old Angelica Golston was killed in her home at Creekwood Village Apartments.

“Children have been dying all the time, but it really got to me after Angelica’s death, because that was the first young lady who died in that area that I knew of,” said Davis, a pastor who is affiliated with Just Jesus Outreach Ministry.

Tresvon Tyrone Spencer, 18, has been charged with murder in connection with Angelica’s death and is awaiting trial.

Angelica’s death was one of several violent incidents involving youths in Tuscaloosa during the last days of 2012 and the first days of 2013.

While the community responded with anti-violence rallies earlier this year, Davis said she’s just getting started addressing the problem.

This week, Davis is helping launch “Taking the Gospel to the Street: Youth Revival.”

The three-day event is open to all Tuscaloosa youths and will be held at Creekwood Village at 7 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.

“I felt like it was time for the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ to go into the streets and onto the highways for real,” Davis said.

She said the goal of the revival is to help youth become aware that God loves them and that He has a purpose for them.

“They need to become aware that they are somebody and can do anything when they put their minds to it,” she said. “They’re not all drug dealers and gang-bangers. Jesus took the lowest and turned them into the greatest.

“We want those kids who people say will be nobody and get them to become the next president of the United States,” she said. “Greatness is within our children, and we have to instill that within them, especially our young black men.”

The Rev. Paul Sanders of Creekwood Fellowship Church said he’s glad Davis is leading a revival because the residents of Creekwood are in need of change.

“This is kind of like an end-of-the-year celebration for the children,” Sanders said. “School ends Friday, and we open this up Friday. We just pray that God moves in a mighty way where lives are changed and souls are saved.”

The revival will open at 7 p.m. Friday with singing, preaching, prayer, speakers and dancing.

From noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Maude Whatley Health Clinic will offer free health screenings. Other attractions Saturday include a Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue fire truck on which kids can play, a job fair with Hardee’s restaurant, a raffle and free barbecue.

The revival will close Sunday with preaching, dancing, singing and evangelism.

Davis said any individual, church or group that wants to donate food, raffle, money or time is welcome to participate in the revival.

“Anybody and everybody can come,” she said. “Jesus said ‘Whosoever will, let him come.’ Help us lift up the name of Jesus and let our young people know that the Lord loves them. He’s looking for dads and granddads, grandmoms and moms that will come put their arms around someone’s sons and daughters and let them know that someone loves them. It’ll stop the violence and make our community a better place.”

<p>TUSCALOOSA | Olivia Davis said something stirred inside her on Jan. 12 when she heard that 17-year-old Angelica Golston was killed in her home at Creekwood Village Apartments.</p><p>“Children have been dying all the time, but it really got to me after Angelica's death, because that was the first young lady who died in that area that I knew of,” said Davis, a pastor who is affiliated with Just Jesus Outreach Ministry.</p><p>Tresvon Tyrone Spencer, 18, has been charged with murder in connection with Angelica's death and is awaiting trial.</p><p>Angelica's death was one of several violent incidents involving youths in Tuscaloosa during the last days of 2012 and the first days of 2013.</p><p>While the community responded with anti-violence rallies earlier this year, Davis said she's just getting started addressing the problem.</p><p>This week, Davis is helping launch “Taking the Gospel to the Street: Youth Revival.”</p><p>The three-day event is open to all Tuscaloosa youths and will be held at Creekwood Village at 7 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.</p><p>“I felt like it was time for the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ to go into the streets and onto the highways for real,” Davis said.</p><p>She said the goal of the revival is to help youth become aware that God loves them and that He has a purpose for them.</p><p>“They need to become aware that they are somebody and can do anything when they put their minds to it,” she said. “They're not all drug dealers and gang-bangers. Jesus took the lowest and turned them into the greatest.</p><p>“We want those kids who people say will be nobody and get them to become the next president of the United States,” she said. “Greatness is within our children, and we have to instill that within them, especially our young black men.”</p><p>The Rev. Paul Sanders of Creekwood Fellowship Church said he's glad Davis is leading a revival because the residents of Creekwood are in need of change.</p><p>“This is kind of like an end-of-the-year celebration for the children,” Sanders said. “School ends Friday, and we open this up Friday. We just pray that God moves in a mighty way where lives are changed and souls are saved.”</p><p>The revival will open at 7 p.m. Friday with singing, preaching, prayer, speakers and dancing.</p><p>From noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Maude Whatley Health Clinic will offer free health screenings. Other attractions Saturday include a Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue fire truck on which kids can play, a job fair with Hardee's restaurant, a raffle and free barbecue.</p><p>The revival will close Sunday with preaching, dancing, singing and evangelism.</p><p>Davis said any individual, church or group that wants to donate food, raffle, money or time is welcome to participate in the revival.</p><p>“Anybody and everybody can come,” she said. “Jesus said 'Whosoever will, let him come.' Help us lift up the name of Jesus and let our young people know that the Lord loves them. He's looking for dads and granddads, grandmoms and moms that will come put their arms around someone's sons and daughters and let them know that someone loves them. It'll stop the violence and make our community a better place.”</p><p>Reach Jamon Smith at jamon.smith@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204.</p>